Automobile signal device



July 13 1926.

R. RODRIGUEZ AUTOMOBILE SIGNALA DEVICE Filed Oct. 8, 1924 ATTORN EY han@ July 13, 192s.

N UNIT-an s'rarasA j v'1,592,582 PATENT oFFicE.

ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ, l' DETROIT, IICHIGAI.

AUTOHOBILE SIGNAL DIVIICE.

Application tied October 8, 1m. p Serial No. 742,890.

This invention relates generally to automobile accessories, the invention relating more particularly to a novel form of illuminated license plate and stop signal device, which may be used during day or ni ht.

The invention has for an object t e provision of a simple and inexpensive device in which the numbers and the name of the state are cut in the license plate, behind which a lamp is positioned to reveal said numbers at night.

For further comprehension of the inven tion, and' of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more lparticularly set forth.

Fig. 1 of the drawing is a face view of my iinIproved device.

ig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2..

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral l() indicates an elongated cas ing that is ofthe general form of the frustum of a cone as seen in end view, this casing having its narrower side closed by an integral wall member While its opposed side, which forms the face of the casing, is arranged to receive the license plate. The license late is carried by a rectangular frame e ementv 12 that fits over the face of the casing, the latter resenting adjacent its face the -parallel wal elements 10 over which the frame ts snugly. Within this frame is fitted the license plate 13 that has .the numbers, or other information, cut there- .in as in forming stencils, the openings cut in the plate for this purpose being indicated genera at 14. This plate lits against an inturneci' bead 15 on the front edge of the frame 12. The late 13 is backed by a glass plate 1'( that c oses the face of the casing 10 and is preferably colored red. Within the outer casing 10 is fitted a reflector 18 of .suitable curvature that has an outturned flange. 19 at its edge that engages between the 'glass plate 17 and the edge of the wall 10Il of the casing 10. A lamp 20 is'niounted in the casini.

To' lock t e parts in position I provide the novel locking means shown, that facilitates removal when desired. As here shown a series of hollow bosses 21 are rovided in the casinglO, and fixed to eac boss is a cylinder 42 having-extending therethrough a rod 22 that has pivotally attached to its inner end as at 23 a hooked latch 24 that projects through a slot 25 in the boss 21 to engage in a notch 26 in the frame 12. The notch in the frame is preferably formed by striking out the metal of the latter as indicated at 27, this struck out part forming a cam that acts to throw the hook 24 of the latch within the connes of the casing when the latch is released. The body of the latch is formed with a tapering end portion 24 that projects through a like aperture in the inner 4and of cylinder 42. Threaded on the rod 22 is a nut 29 which is tightened upon the outer end of the cylinder to lock the parts in place. Formed within the cylinder is a recess 30 in which is a coiled expansion spring 31 that surrounds the rod and bears on a collar 32 on the latter and acts to ur the latch to released position.

It will be obvious that when the nut 29 is screwed outwardly the spring 31 will urge the latch inward and as the latch moves inward the member 27 will act to throw the hook 24 away from engagement with the frame 12 and so release the latter. When the nut is again screwed inward the en gagement of the side of the latch with the inclined side of the passage in the boss causes the hook 24 to be thrown outward to reen age with the frame to lock the parts in ace.

pon the'top of the frame element 12 Il preferably mount a bracket 35 that has attached Athereto a `casing 36 in which is a lamp 37 that illuminates a stop signal 38 on the face of the said casing.A To mount the whole device on an automobile a pair of rigid straps 40 are attached to the back of the casing and have inclined lower ends to which a plate 41 is attached. l

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letzers Patent of the United States is as folows: l

1. In a device of theA class described, 'a'.

casing element provided vwith an o en face. a closure element for said face, said casing clement being provided withdntegral bosses with rigidly attached cylinders, a rod slidable in each of said cylinders, a. hooked latch ivotd t0 each of said rods, to engage said glosure dement, a nut threaded on each of said rods, and abutting the rear ends of said cylinders, to allow movement for' said rods, an expansion sp in each cylintlller, and bea againstsai rods,tonorma ypress theriidifs forward, and said hooked latches be- -ing provided with an oblig: side abutting against a portion of said cy seid latch upon longitudinal movement, to im rt transverse motion thereto, from and to ocking' itions.

2. InY a Idevice of the class described, a

casing. element provided with an open face, a closure element for said face, formed with notches, said casing element being provided with integral with rigidly attached cylinders, a rod slidable in each of said cylinders, a hooked latch pivoted to each of said rods, to the notches of said clo sure elementto ock the sainev to the casing, a nut threaded on each of said' rods, and abutting the rear ends of said cylinders, to allow movement for said rods, an expansion spring in each cylinder and bearing against said rods, lto normally press the rods forward, and said hooked latches being provided with an-oblique side abutting against ders, to engage closure element, a rod slidable in each of -said cylinders, a hooked. latch pivoted to each of said rods, to eng thenotches of said closure element to loc the saine to the casin a nut threaded on each of'said rods, and a utting the rear ends of said cylinders, to allow movement for said rods, an expansion spring lin each cylinder, and bearing against said rods, to normally press rods forward, and said hooked latches being pro vided with an oblique side abutting against a portion Vof said cylinders forming cam elements, to engage said latch upon longitudinal movement, to impart transverse mction thereto, from and to locking position.

In testimony whereof I have aiixed my signature.

ROBERT O RODRIGUEZ. 

